brother if he be sick. I have some skill in the treatment of
fevers, and I have brought in my wallet some simples which we find
wonderfully helpful down in the south, from where I come. I doubt
not I can bring him relief."

Humphrey's face brightened with a look of joyful relief, and Fritz
exclaimed heartily:

"Yes, yes, Julian is a notable leech. We all come to him with our
troubles both of body and mind.

"Lead on, comrade. I will cook the supper whilst you and he tend
the sick man; and afterwards we will tell all our tale; and take
counsel for the future."

It was new life to Humphrey to hear the sound of human voices, to
feel the touch of friendly hands, to know himself not alone in the
awful isolation of the vast forest. He led the way to the rough
shed, which he had contrived during the past days to convert into a
rude species of sleeping and living room. He had made a hearth and
a chimney, so that he could cook food whilst still keeping an eye
upon his sick brother. He had contrived a certain amount of rude
comfort in Charles's bed and surroundings. The place looked
pleasant to the wearied, travellers, for it was spotlessly clean,
and it afforded shelter from the keen night air.

They had been finding the nights grow cold as they journeyed
northward, and Fritz rubbed his hands at sight of the glow of the
fire, and set to work eagerly upon his culinary tasks; whilst
Julian and Humphrey bent over Charles, the former examining the